Veterans recognize Memorial Day

24-May-2013John "Landmine" Collins talks about his service in Iraq at the Heritage Museum Veterans Hall at the Henderson County Department of Public Health.

Patrick Sullivan/Times-News

By Mark SchulmanTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 4:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 7:19 a.m.

John “Landmine” Collins was disabled in the first Iraq War, but that has not slowed the veteran's efforts to honor those who have fallen in the fight for America's freedom.

And Memorial Day will be no exception.

Collins and other members of the Patriot Guard riders will be one of several individuals and organizations laying wreaths at the Memorial Day ceremony at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

“Memorial Day is not about me or the other veterans out there,” the 22-year Marine Corps veteran said last week as he stood in the Heritage Museum Veterans Hall at the Henderson County Department of Public Health. “This is about those who have gone before us and given their lives for us.”

Collins pointed out 159 names of Henderson County residents who have not returned home from war.

The Veterans Hall is a reminder to Collins that he lives in an area that respects the military and its veterans.

“This place makes you really proud to be a veteran,” said Collins, who is commander of the Beddingfield-Shytle Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans.

In March 2003, Collins, now 48, stepped on a land mine that mangled his feet and sent shrapnel up the left side of his body and face. The injury also earned him the nickname “Landmine.”

“John is one of the first people I go to when there is an issue with a disabled veteran,” said Shuford Edmisten, president of Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Edmisten, an Army veteran, has been organizing Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies in Henderson County for 28 years and has worked closely with Collins for Disabled American Veterans.

“He takes charge and makes decisions,” Edmisten said. “If I was in a foxhole, I would want that man with me.”

The ceremony

The Memorial Day ceremony at Forest Lawn will be dedicated to Jessie Cassada, Kade Warriner, Jimmy Warren, Terry Varnadore, Richard Waycaster and Samuel Kelly Watkins, Henderson County servicemen who were killed in action.

The guest speaker will be Martha Whitaker, past national executive committee woman for The American Legion Auxiliary. JROTC cadets from three area high schools also will participate in the event.

Following the ceremony, which starts at 11 a.m., barbecue will be served to the first 300 people, Edmisten said.

Personal mission

Since his retirement from the Marine Corps, Collins has devoted his time to attending ceremonies and advocating for veterans and families of service members who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Hendersonville residents often see Collins cruising through the streets with the United States flag flying from his 2007 Harley-Davidson.

“I do it to help remind people that there are men and women still protecting you out there,” he said. “There is something about seeing the American flag that really instills something in people.”

After serving in the Iraq War and Operation Freedom and retiring in 2005, Collins joined the Patriot Guard Riders and now is the assistant state captain for the volunteer organization.

The Patriot Guard Riders was formed about eight years ago to form a shield between mourning families and protesters from Westboro Baptist Church who want to interrupt the funerals of fallen service members.

Collins calls the protesters “the uglies” and refuses to say the name of their organization to avoid attention to their cause.

“That is what we do,” Collins said. “We block the families from the ugliness.”

The Patriot Guard also supports the military with welcome-home celebrations and other events and ceremonies, Collins said.

In addition to the Patriot Guard, Collins also has been involved with the Marine Corps League Blue Ridge Detachment, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wreaths Across America and other veterans organizations.

“My time goes towards my fellow veterans and veterans causes,” Collins said. “It is because of them, I can enjoy life — because of those that gave so much and sacrificed so much for us.”

A day of gratitude

Mike Murdock, Henderson County Veterans Affairs officer, said Memorial Day is the one day each year set aside to remember the men and women of this county who never had the chance to become veterans.

It's the day set aside to remember those who never had the chance to grow old in the arms of their loved ones and never had the chance to watch children and grandchildren grow up, Murdock said.

“It's the day set aside to remember, honor and give thanks to the heroes who, as Abraham Lincoln said ‘gave their last full measure of devotion',” he said.

“Memorial Day should be a solemn, respectful day of remembrance and contemplation. Memorial Day should be a day when we educate our children about the sacrifices made by the heroes who died defending our Constitution and our way of life.”

Reach Schulman at 828-694-7890 or mark.schulman@blueridgenow.com.

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